[jcanoe]

CNET's reviewer wrote "The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt is an extraordinary EV built for ordinary people with class-leading range that nearly eliminates range anxiety and a price tag that most people should be able to afford." They also called the Bolt the best EV you can buy this side of Tesla. https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/auto/2017-chevrolet-bolt/review/

The CNET reviewer like the way the Bolt accelerated out of a corner without a transmission having to hunt for the correct gear. The Bolt's range eliminated most of their range anxiety. They also praised the electronic rear view mirror display.

Rants included: lack of ACC, the poor quality of the standard backup camera (first time I have read this complaint) and lack of a Navigation system to guide you to public recharging stations when you are driving in unfamiliar territory.

There is also a video review of the Bolt's MyLink system and the available driver assist technology: https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/videos/2017-chevrolet-bolt-deep-dive-into-tech/

 

[Steverino]

Backup camera looked great to me. Better than my Volt's.

Built-in nav is nice, but connected phones for displaying maps on the dash are the future. Always current, no need to pay $250 for an update.

 

[Slotracer577]

The back up screen on mine is slightly less crisp than the one in the volt. I understand the complaint. It does wash itself which is nice compared to the volt. Also the 360 view is nice.

 

[jcanoe]

Backup camera looked great to me. Better than my Volt's.

Built-in nav is nice, but connected phones for displaying maps on the dash are the future. Always current, no need to pay $250 for an update.

I can't comment on the backup camera. The CNET reviewer stated that every other EV includes on-board navigation to guide you to public charging locations along your way without needing to first stop, use your smart phone to bring up Chargepoint, Plugshare etc. and called this a huge oversight by Chevy. I expect that in time Google Maps and Apple Maps will have the option of overlaying public charging stations on the map display and search for public charging locations the way you can now search for gas stations and other POI.

 

[devbolt]

If you are using Apple Maps with CarPlay, there is a dedicated Destinations icon for finding charging stations. No need to stop and search. It lists them by network provider (ChargePoint, EVGo, etc).

 

[Raymondjram]

Rants included: lack of ACC, the poor quality of the standard backup camera (first time I have read this complaint) and lack of a Navigation system to guide you to public recharging stations when you are driving in unfamiliar territory.

That is "nitpicking". What is better? A car with a great and efficient power train but limited "gizmos", or a car loaded with "gizmos" but a gas hog? I prefer the first! Having driven many older cars (with no A/C or any power accessories, and a plain AM radio), yet all gave me superb service for over twenty years. I cringe every time someone here complaints about no power seats in the Gen 2 Volt or lack of ACC in the Bolt EV. I can't even buy a Volt! or a Bolt!

Anyone here on in the auto review business that does this "nitpicking" should be transports back a hundred years and drive a old messy gas car with a stubborn hand crank and a two gear manual transmission!!

 

[jcanoe]

The reviewer was just being honest about the glaring omissions from the Chevy Bolt. They drive all sorts of the latest model SUVs, CUVs, trucks and cars and these advanced safety and driving features are no longer the exception. The pace of change within the automotive industry is now closer to that of personal computers, tablets and cell phones. Today's car and truck buyer is tech savvy and expects the latest driving automation, if not as standard equipment at least as options. In a new car market where a Toyota Corolla comes equipped with ACC, standard, Chevy cannot just ignore the latest features expected by drivers and then wonder why their vehicles are not selling as expected. Not that Toyota is immune to the problem, I am referring to the lack of CarPlay and Android Auto in Toyota vehicles. What's up with that? There are only a handful of places in the USA where the car buying public can assume the debt of a new vehicle costing upwards of $33k. If those car buyers expect you to be selling greenish, green or greener vehicles loaded with technology then you had better pay attention or your company will be standing on the curb surrounded by a sea of unsold vehicles, watching the better equipped imports drive by.

 

[obermd]

My thought on not having a display of public charging points is that it will always be out of date.

 

[Bunza Steele]

I just swapped my 2017 Volt Premier with the Bolt Premier. The backup camera in the Bolt is a much lower resolution than the one in the Volt. It was shocking how much worse it was when first using it. I haven't been able to find any spec on the difference of resolution, but I almost wonder if mine's faulty somehow. The camera for the rear view mirror has a much higher resolution, and of course a wider angle.